MBLEX defs:U8: Joints Part 2

Abduction

A movement at a joint that takes place in the frontal plane with the body part moving away from the midline of the body. It is the opposite movement to adduction.

Acromioclavicular joint

A synovial gliding joint formed between the lateral end of the clavicle and the medial edge of the acromion process of the scapula.

Action

A joint movement created by a muscle contraction.

Active range of motion

The amount of motion available at a given joint when the client moves the body part voluntarily and with no assistance from the practitioner.

Active-assisted range of motion

The client uses the muscles surrounding the joint to perform the movement but requires some help from the practitioner.

Active-resisted range of motion

A technique in which the practitioner provides resistance to a client's attempt to move a joint in order to assess or build the client's muscular strength; also called resisted range of motion.

Adduction

A movement at a joint that takes place in the frontal plane with the body part moving toward the midline of the body. It is the opposite movement to abduction.

Adhesion

Abnormal deposits of connective tissue that form between surfaces that normally should glide over each other, such as two adjacent organs or between organs and fascia.

Agonist

The muscle mainly responsible for creating a given movement through contraction; the prime mover.

Amphiarthrotic joint

A type of joint classified by function, where the joint structures permit a slight to moderate amount of movement. Amphiarthrotic joints are structurally classified as symphysis joints (held together by a fibrocartilage disc) or synchondrosis joints (held together by hyaline cartilage).

Anatomical restrictions

Any condition that imposes a restriction on the function of the anatomical structure.

Anatomical restrictions (joints)

The limits imposed on the range of motion available at a joint, based on the structure of that joint.

Anatomical tools

The use of various body parts such as the hands, fingers, knuckles, thumbs, or elbows to perform certain palpation activities or application methods.

Ankle

A general term for the region where the leg meets the foot; associated with the talocrural joint (considered the true ankle joint), the subtalar joint, and the distal tibiofibular joint.

Antagonist

A muscle that acts in opposition to the agonist/prime mover in order to control a motion or slow it down.

Anterior

Direction referring to the front of the body.

Anterior pelvic tilt

A movement of the pelvis in the sagittal plane that occurs at the lumbosacral and/or hip joints where the pelvis tilts in an anterior direction. The posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) rises superiorly and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) moves inferiorly.

Anterior-posterior axis

A straight line that passes horizontally from anterior to posterior (or runs between the front and back of the body). Movements occur in the frontal plane around this axis. This axis is sometimes called the sagittal axis.

Aponeurosis

A strong, flat sheet of fibrous connective tissue that serves as a tendon to attach muscles to bone, as fascia to bind muscles together, or to strengthen an area (e.g., palm of the hand).

Appendicular skeleton

The bones forming the appendages (extremities), including those of the shoulder girdle, upper extremity, pelvis, and lower extremities.

Articulation

A place where two or more bones are joined together for the purpose of allowing body parts to move; also called a joint.

Asymmetry

A lack or absence of symmetry including a lack of proportion between the parts of a thing, or when bilateral structures vary noticeably in size, shape, or position.

Atlanto-axial joint

A joint classified as a synovial pivot joint. It is formed by the articulation of the anterior arch of the atlas and the odontoid process of the axis (atlanto-odontoid joint), and by the articulations of the inferior facets of the atlas (C1) and the superior facets of the axis (C2). It allows flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.

Atlanto-occipital joint

A joint classified as a condyloid/ellipsoid synovial joint. It is formed by the articulations of the superior facets of the atlas (C1) and the occipital condyles, and allows flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.

Attachment sites

Places where tendon or ligament attach to bone.

Axial skeleton

The bones forming the axis of the skeleton, including the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum.

Axis

A straight line that is perpendicular to a plane around which a body part moves. Movement at a joint takes place in a plane about an axis. There are three axes of rotation: the anterior-posterior axis, the medial-lateral axis, and the superior-inferior axis (also called the vertical axis).

Ball-and-socket joint

A type of synovial joint that allows triaxial movements in three planes and around three axes. Ball-and-socket joints are formed by a ball-like surface that fits into a concave socket, permitting flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and combinations of these movements. Examples include the shoulder joint and the hip joint.

Biaxial joint

One of four categories of synovial joints based on the number of axes of movement that exist at the joint. Biaxial joints allow movement to occur around two axes, within two planes. Flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction occur in biaxial joints.

Bilateral

A condition, quality, or structure that can be found on both sides of the body.

Bipennate muscle

A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles that have fibers on two sides of a tendon (e.g., rectus femoris).

Body mechanics

Standing, sitting, lifting, and performing other daily activities with proper alignment to avoid injury or fatigue.

Bone

Firm connective tissue composed of cells, fibers, and ground substance.

Bony landmarks

Attachment points for muscles or passageways for blood vessels and nerves that are used as palpable reference points when locating structures during palpation or viewing the body during a posture assessment.

Bursae

Small synovial, fluid-filled sacs that create a friction-reducing cushion between structures at joints.

Bursitis

Inflammation of bursae.

Carpometacarpal joint

One of five synovial joints formed by the articulations of the distal row of carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. The first carpometacarpal joint (CMC) is a saddle joint formed by the trapezium and the first metacarpal. The second CMC is a gliding joint between the trapezoid and the base of the second metacarpal. The third is a gliding joint between the capitate and the base of the third metacarpal. The fourth is a gliding joint between the hamate and the base of the fourth metacarpal. The fifth is a gliding joint between the hamate and the base of the fifth metacarpal. These joints allow flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and opposition and circumduction at the thumb.

Compound joint

A joint that involves three or more bones (e.g., elbow joint that involves the humerus, radius, and ulna), in contrast to a simple joint that involves two bones.

Circumduction

A combination of movements that occur in the frontal and sagittal planes that allows for arching, circular motions, such as when swimming the backstroke. Movement combinations in appendicular body parts include flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction. Movement combinations in axial body parts include right lateral flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, and flexion. Movements in various combinations of the arm, thigh, hand, foot, head, neck, trunk, and pelvis can be described as circumduction.

Circular muscle

A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles that have a circular shape such as the orbicularis oris and orbicularis oculi surrounding the eyes. This term also applies to sphincter muscles which surround and are able to close a body passage or opening such as the sphincter pylori in the stomach and sphincter ani externus that keeps the anal opening closed.

Cervical spine

A segment of the spinal column related to the neck and comprised of seven vertebrae named C1-C7.

Cartilaginous joint

A type of joint classified by structure, where the bones of the joint are held together by fibrocartilage (called a symphysis joint) or hyaline cartilage (called a synchondrosis joint). Cartilaginous joints are functionally classified as amphiarthrotic joints because they permit slight to moderate amounts of movement.

Concentric contraction

A muscle contraction that occurs when muscle fibers shorten slightly and widen as tension develops.

Conductivity

The capacity of a body to transmit a flow of electricity or heat (e.g., when muscles are contracting through vigorous exercise).

Condyloid joint

A type of synovial joint where one bone has a concave shape and the other has a convex shape that fit together; also called ellipsoid joints. An example is the radiocarpal joint of the wrist.

Contractility

A characteristic of muscle that allows it to shorten (contract).

Contralateral rotation

An action of a muscle to rotate an axial body part or the pelvis in the transverse plane toward the opposite side of the body to which it is located. For example, the right upper section of the trapezius turns the head to the left and the left upper section of the trapezius turns the head to the right.

Coxal

A term that refers to the hip area.

Costovertebral joint

A synovial joint formed by the head of the rib, two adjacent vertebral bodies, and the interposed intervertebral disc. Ribs 2-9 have typical costovertebral joints. Ribs 1, 10, 11, and 12 articulate with only one vertebral body.

Costotransverse joint

A synovial joint formed by the articulation of the costal tubercle of the rib with a costal facet on the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra. The vertebrae of T1-T10 articulate with the ribs of the same numbers.

Costospinal joint

A general name for the joints between the ribs and the spinal column. The ribs articulate with the 12 thoracic vertebrae posteriorly, usually with two articulations. The costovertebral joints are synovial joints between the body of a vertebra and its corresponding rib. The costotransverse joints are synovial joints between each rib tubercle with the transverse process of its corresponding vertebra.

Costochondral joint

A synchondrosis joint formed by the articulation of ribs 1-10 with their corresponding costal cartilage.

Unipennate muscle

A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with fibers oriented at one fiber angle on the same side of a tendon (e.g., extensor digitorum longus).

Upward rotation

A movement that can occur at the scapula and clavicle in the vertical plane. The scapula rotates so that the glenoid fossa orients superiorly, and the clavicle rotates so that the inferior surface faces anteriorly. It is the opposite movement to downward rotation.

Vertebral facet joint

Joints classified as synovial gliding joints (generally called spinal joints when in combination with intervertebral disc joints) located between adjacent articular processes of vertebrae. The inferior articular processes of the superior vertebra articulate with the superior articular processes of the inferior vertebra. Spinal joints allow flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, and gliding transitional movements.

Weight-bearing joint

A joint that bears the weight of the body through the structure of the joint. Primary weight-bearing joints are the joints of the lower extremities and the joints of the spine.

Wrist

A general term for the radiocarpal joint formed between the distal end of the radius and the proximal carpal bones. This joint is closely associated with the midcarpal joint located between the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones.

Triangular muscle

A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles with fibers organized in a fan-like shape that converge into a point (e.g., pectoralis major). Also referred to as a convergent muscle.

Triaxial joint

One of four categories of synovial joints based on the number of axes of movement that exist at the joint. Triaxial joints allows movement to occur around three axis, within three planes.

Tubercle

A small, rounded lump, protuberance, or nodule on a bone that serves as an attachment site for muscles or ligaments.

Ulnar deviation

A movement of the hand toward the ulnar aspect of the forearm (also called adduction).

Uniaxial joint

One of four categories of synovial joints based on the number of axes of movement that exist at the joint. Uniaxial joints allows movement to occur around one axis, within one plane.

Transverse tarsal joint

A compound synovial gliding joint composed of the talonavicular joint (located between the talus and the navicular bone) and the calcaneocuboid joint (located between the calcaneus and cuboid bones); allows pronation and supination. Through its close relationship with the subtalar joint, the transverse tarsal joints also allow inversion, eversion, abduction, and adduction.

Transverse plane

An imaginary flat surface that bisects the body between the upper and lower halves. It is also called the horizontal plane.

Tissue texture

The tactile sensation of palpating tissue (e.g., grainy, ropey, smooth, dense, etc.)

Tissue quality

The palpable characteristics of a certain tissue (e.g., texture, consistency, and density, etc.).

Tibiofibular joint

Three articulations (proximal, middle, and distal) located between the tibia and the fibula that allow gliding movements between the fibula and tibia.

Temperature differences (palpation)

Noticing a warmer or cooler quality in an area of the body can provide information about the underlying tissues.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

The temporomandibular joint is classified as a synovial modified hinge joint. It is formed by the articulation of the temporal bone and the mandible. It allows elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, left and right deviation, anterior glide, and posterior glide.

Tendons

Connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Thoracic spine

A segment of the spinal column related to the upper part of the trunk and comprised of 12 vertebrae named T1-T12.

Tibiofemoral joint

A synovial hinge joint commonly called the knee (it shares the same joint capsule as the patellofemoral joint), formed between the condyles of the tibia and the condyles of the femur that allows flexion and extension.

Tarsometatarsal joint

Five synovial gliding joints located between the distal row of tarsal bones and the metatarsal bones; allows dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion. The first tarsometatarsal joint (TMT) is located between the first cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal. The second TMT is between the second cuneiform and the base of the second metatarsal. The third TMT is between the third cuneiform and the base of the third metatarsal. The forth TMT is between the cuboid and the base of the forth metatarsal. The fifth TMT is between the cuboid and the base of the fifth metatarsal.

Talocrural joint

A synovial hinge joint commonly referred to as the ankle, formed between the articulations of the tibia, fibula, and talus that allows dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

Synovial membrane

A layer of connective tissue that lines the cavities of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae, and makes synovial fluid.

Synovial joint

A type of joint classified by structure where the bones of the joint are held together by a joint capsule. Synovial joints are functionally classified as diarthrotic joints because they allow for a great deal of movement between the bones.

Synovial fluid

Fluid within the synovial cavity that lubricates and nourishes the joint.

Synergists

Muscles that assist the prime mover to perform a certain action.

Syndesmosis joint

A joint in which the bones are united by fibrous connective tissue forming an interosseous membrane or ligament, such as the tibiofibular joints.

Synchondrosis joint

A type of cartilaginous joint where hyaline cartilage joins the two articulating bones together. An example is the costal cartilage located between a rib and the sternum.

Synarthrotic joint

A type of joint classified by function, where the joint structures permit very little or no movement. Synarthrotic joints are structurally classified as fibrous joints, where the bones of the joint are held together by dense fibrous connective tissue.

Symphysis joint

A type of cartilaginous joint where a fibrocartilage disc between the bodies of the articulating bones joins the bones together. Examples are the intervertebral disc joints of the spine and the symphysis pubis joint of the pelvis.

Superior

Direction toward the top of the body.

Superior-inferior axis

A straight line that passes vertically from inferior to superior (or superior to inferior). Movements occur in the transverse plane around this axis. This axis is often called the vertical or longitudinal axis.

Supination

A movement at the forearm (also the ankle/foot complex) that takes place in the transverse plane when the forearm rotates so that the palm is facing upward and the radius and ulna are parallel to each other. It is the opposite movement to pronation.

Suture joints of the skull

Suture joints are classified as fibrous synarthrotic joints. They are formed by articulations between adjacent bones of the cranium and face.

Symmetry

The quality of something that has two sides or halves that are the same or very close in size, shape, and position. For example, when a selected muscle is close to the same size and shape on both sides of the body, or when a bony landmark such as the clavicle appears to be situated evenly on both the right and left sides of the body.

Structural asymmetry

Imbalance or a noticeable difference in bilateral structures of the body.

Structural classification of joints

A classification of joints based on their structure. There are three classifications: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial.

Subtalar joint

A complex synovial ellipsoid joint formed by three separate articulations of the inferior talus and the superior calcaneus; allows inversion, eversion, abduction (lateral rotation), and adduction (medial rotation).

Superficial

On the surface of the body.

Superficial fascia

Fascia in the superficial realm of the body; just beneath the skin.

Spinal joint

A general term for articulations of the spinal column formed between adjacent vertebrae. There is usually one median joint called an intervertebral disc joint, and two lateral joints called vertebral facet joints at each segmental level (e.g., between C5 and C6, C6 and C7, C7 and T1, etc.). Spinal joints allow flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.

Sternoclavicular joint

A synovial saddle joint formed between the articulations of the medial end of the clavicle with the manubrium of the sternum; allows gliding movements. It is closely related to the scapulothoracic joint and acromioclavicular joint, and forms the only bony articulation connecting the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton.

Sternocostal joint

A synchondrosis joint formed by the costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 and the sternum.

Strain

Mild to severe tearing of muscle tissue in response to over-stretching or trauma.

Strap muscle

A term to describe the architecture of a muscle and referring to muscles that have long parallel fibers that run the length of the muscle and end in wide, flat tendons (e.g., sartorius).

Simple joint

A joint that involves two bones, in contrast to a compound joint that involves three or more bones.

Skeletal muscles

Muscles that support and move the skeletal system of the body.

Slow-twitch fibers

Muscle fibers that are smaller in diameter and take longer to respond to stimuli, but have greater endurance.